Pathways to Progress with BJD for Stock Agents Mr Phil Whitten Dairy Australia, BJD Project Manager Dr Andrew Padula Veterinary Consultant – April 2008 Agents1

Overview 1.Introduction 2.What is BJD? Why worry about BJD? 3.What’s the National Dairy BJD Assurance Score? 4.What’s in it for clients? What’s in it for agents? 5.Getting a Dairy Score 6.“No known Johne’s” = Non-Assessed = Score 0 7.Declaring the Dairy Score on NVDs 8.Interstate trading and the Dairy Score 9.Dairy industry resources on BJD Agents2

Introduction Road show of information sessions in Vic and Tas Provide information on industry approach to BJD Working with vets, stock agents and milk companies Aiming to get farmers implementing low risk measures 1. Introduction Agents3

BJD in Australia Common in dairy herds in south eastern Australia BJD comes on the back of a truck! Bug survives in muck on the farm Changing environment regarding regulation 2. What is BJD? Why worry about BJD? Mycobacterium paratuberculosis Agents4

Signs of BJD 2. What is BJD? Why worry about BJD? Weight loss Chronic scouring Images courtesy Dr J.Malmo. Infected as a young calf Show signs when old (4+) scouring weight loss reduced milk death Agents5

Why worry about BJD? Relatively common dairy cattle disease Hypothesised link to Crohn’s disease in humans –MAP found in some Crohn’s patients –MAP found in overseas retail milk surveys –Insufficient evidence to support a link MAP in milk may make future market access difficult Small on-farm economic losses 2. What is BJD? Why worry about BJD? Agents6

Whole chain risk management summary 2. What is BJD? Why worry about BJD? CattleHarvestingProcessingMarkets Hazard BJD in herd Hazard Faecal contamination of milk Hazard Pasteurisation efficacy Hazard Market sensitivity to MAP Critical Control Points Good calf hygiene Remove shedders Avoid Introducing BJD Critical Control Points Good milking hygiene Critical Control Points Understand efficacy of heat tx Use appt. time and temp. Critical Control Points Communication and awareness Agents7

National Dairy BJD Assurance Score “ BJD comes on the back of a truck!” Voluntary tool for farmers to better manage the risk of BJD with herd introductions Ranks existing BJD programs by risk After July 2008 all farms Score 0 unless implemented measures to reduce or assess the risk 3. What is the Dairy Score? “The higher the Score the lower the risk” Agents8

Comparing the risk Market Assurance Program herds Single test negative Protected Zone Approved Control Programs Hygienic Calf Rearing Programs ie. JDCAP (Victoria) or 3-Step Infected or Suspect All Non-Assessed herds after July 2008 Free Zone (WA) 3. What is the Dairy Score? Agents9

Extra points for good calf rearing 3-Step Calf Plan –Included as part of dairy company QA program –Bonus of 1 extra point on top of the herd base Score -Herd can stay on Score 3 if 3-Step in place before Jul 08 Victorian Johne’s Disease Calf Accreditation Program –Managed by DPI Victoria (called JDCAP) –Bonus of 3 extra points on top of herd base Score 3. What is the Dairy Score? Agents10

BJD calf rearing programs earns points 3-Step Plan can be done on all farms Helps break major route of transmission Faecal contamination of dam’s udder a risk Environment contaminated with Mptb 3. What is the Dairy Score? Agents11

What’s in it for vendors and buyers? Better recognition for those farmers who have controlled BJD by testing and calf rearing programs Greater information for buyers on BJD risk of stock Voluntary system Contributing to national control of BJD Agents12 4. What’s in it for our clients? What’s in it for agents?

What’s in it for agents? Expected increased interest in low BJD risk stock Better comparison of BJD risk between herds Provide better information to prospective buyers Agents13 4. What’s in it for our clients? What’s in it for agents?

Some options for getting a Dairy Score Agents14 5. Getting a Dairy Score 3-Step Calf Plan Dairy Score 3 if implemented before 1 July 2008 All calves at 12mths old get a bonus +1 point Auditable – farmers need records Check Test 50 cattle bled, Dairy Score 7 if all negative Test & Control Program Score 2 to 6 depending on current test status

3-Step Calf Plan 5. Getting a Dairy Score Agents15 Step1 Calves removed from dams within 12 hours of birth Step 2 No access to source of manure or effluent Step 3 12 months grazing separation from adults

No Known Johne’s = Non-Assessed “No known Johne’s” = no assurance on BJD = Dairy Score 0 Dairy Score better rewards those that do something about BJD Agents16 6. No Known Johne’s

Advertising the Dairy Score Agents17 Dairy Score 0 JD Non-Assessed = Dairy Score 0

Dairy Score declaration Mandatory in NSW (from1/4/08) and South Australia Voluntary in Victoria and Tasmania Write Dairy Score in Section 9 on NVD Separate declaration form is available for special purposes Agents18 7. Declaring the Dairy Score Dairy Score 4

Interstate Trading Consult local DPI for current movement requirements Dairy Score mandatory in NSW and SA Agents19 8. Interstate trading and the Dairy Score

Dairy BJD resources Web site Publications –3-Step Calf Plan –Dairy Score –BJD Technotes for vets and advisers –Dairy farm guidelines for BJD –DVD on BJD best-practice Project manager 9. Dairy BJD resources Agents20